Pipe cutter



May 26, 1925.

H. S. CAMERON ET AL PIPE CUTTER Filed Oct. 5l, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 HARRY 5. CAMERON' glnvefnfour T. Aacuomw..

@5% Jaw@ AND Patented May 26 1925.`l

HARRY s. CAMERON AND JAMES s.y

1,539,288 'PATENT OFFICE.

ABERCROMBIR' OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

RIPE GUTTER.

Application filed october 31, 1922. serian 110.598.130.

To all whom t may concern.' y

Be it known that we, HARRY S. CAMERON and JAMES S. AnnuonoMIsrE, citizens YOt' the United States, residing at Houston, Harris County.; Texas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pipe Cutters,of which the :followingl is a full, clear, and .exact description, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it-appertains to make and use lthe samef Our invention relates `to pipe or casing l cutters of the type used in cutting pipe in deep wells, in the operations of drilling or pumping.

An object of the invention is to form a` cutter which may be introduced into the casing or other pipe in a well and to then be iixed at the po-int or points desired and operated to sever the asing.

A further object is to provide vmeans of positively anchoring the cutting device at the point desired in such manner that it may be withdrawn when the cutting operations are completed.

We also contemplate so constructing the device as to be able to advance the cutters to cutting position and to again withdraw them as desired and to support the cutter for rotationl o-n saidanchoring means.

A further object is to provide means to limit the weight resting on the cutter during operations and to also providefmeans to determine when the pipe is severed.

These and other Objects and advantages will be better understood from the detailed description whichfollows. i l

Referring to the drawing herewith wherein like numerals oi reference are applied to like parts in all the viewer-Fig. l'is a central longitudinal section through a well casing showing our improved device inserted therein, some parts oft `said device being shown inelevation; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the upper portion yof thesaid invention, some parts being broken away for greater clearness.;- Fig. 3 is a transverse sec,- tion on the plane 3-3 ot' Fig. 2; Fig. iis a longitudinal sectional view showing the cutter and the operating mandrel; Fig. l5 is a similar view showing the cutters eX- tended; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the cutter head; Fifr. 7 is a transverse section on the plane 7-2 o'Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the anchor device; Fig. 9 is -a central longitudinal section thereof; Fig.l 10 is a transverse section on the plane 10- 1'0 of Fig. Sand Fig. 11 is a transversesection on the plane 11-11 of Fig. 9.

In drilling and pumping wells it sometimes-occurs that the casing becomes fixed or frozen in the well and can not be'removed when it is desired tov do so. Also pipe may be dropped and bent in thel well. In such cases it is sometimes possible to use a pipecutting means which may be inserted downwardly into the pipe vor casing, and to sever the same at desired pointsthroughout its length so that ,the sa'id pipe may be removed in sections, thus-cut o In the drawings,l we have shown a type of cutter which, may be used for this purpose. lower end of a string of pipe or drill stem when in use'. It has, for attachnentto such string of pipe or drill stem, an upper It is designed to be attached to thethreadednipple 1. This nipple is reduced slightly in diameter at 2 and extended downwardly for some distance, and adapted to telescope within an outer sleeve 3. The

'sleeve 3 is'provided on opposite sides thereof lwith longitudinalslots 4 in which radially extending pins 5 onthe nipple 1 are adaptedI -to slide. At the lower end of the nipple 1 within the sleevev 3, the diameter of the nipple is reduced at 6 and threaded at its."

head 12. .This head is rotatably connectedA with a supporting anchoring device 13) by means of a coupling 14* threaded to the lower. end of the `cutter headand having an I inwardly-extending ange 15 engaging the lower ,face of a shoulder formed by an annular nut or ring 16 threaded upon the reducedupperl end 17 of the anchoring device 13. L

The cutter fhead 12 has formed therein a plurality of cylindrical-'Openings 18 extend.

ing radially through the walls of the head 12. The said head is tubular, having a .central passage 19 ext/ending longitudinally thereof, in the openings 18 of which, we have shown (see Fig. 7) three cylindrical -blocks 20 adapted to slide in said openings.

`truding from the lower side of the block and adapted to fit within a keyway 27 so as to "allow thev sliding of the cutter block radially of the head, but also adapted to prevent rotation of the said block in its opening. Each of the blocks is held in contracted position within the said openings by means of a lever 28 secured pivotally--within a slot 30 in the side of the head. The. lower end of the lever fits within a. recess 29 in the up-per face of the block'and the upper -end lies against the side of the expanding mandrel. In contracted position, the outer edge of each of the cutters 24 will extend outwardly to a point about flush with the outer face of the head.

As shown'particularly in Fig. 6 we have formed a circumferential groove 3l in the side of the cutter head on the level with the cutters 24. This groove is to receive the rough ends of the cuttings or furi'ows formed in the casing by the rotating cutter. There is in this groove 31 at a point on the circumference of the head, a scraping cuttei; 32 which. as shown in Fig. 7, is inclined in the direction of rotation of the head, and adapted to scrape away the furrowed surface formed on the casing by means of the cutters.

Below the cutter head, as previously stated, is the anchoring means, 13. i This anchoring device comprises an upper head 3,3, cylindrical in shape, below which tliediameter is reduced and the head is vformed into a downwardly tapered mandrel 34. This mandrel, about midway of its length. is reduced abruptly in diameter to form a shoulder 35 below which the remaining portion thereof is cylindrical, as shown at 36. Fitting on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the mandrel. is a sliding sleeve, 37. This sleeve is held non-rotatably on the said mandrel by'means of `a key, 38. The lower portion of the said sleeve is solid. but above the thickened lower end the said sleeve is spaced away from the mandrel at 39. The upper portion of the said sleeve is formed with a plurality 0f dove-tailed slots 40 into which the lower ends of expanding jaws or slips 41 are adapted to beslidably 'which can be broken or shea-red engaged. Said. slips 41 are cylindrical on their upper` portions and toothed at 42 to engage the inner surface of the pipe or casing. The inner faces of these slips' are tapered to fit upon the said mandrel .34. The said slips or j aws 41 are held resiliently against the said tapered mandrel by means of an annular spring 43 shaped like a piston ring, split at one point and fitting within a groove 44 in the outer faces of the jaws or s ips.

Below the sliding sleeve 37 vis a lower collar 47; This collar is threaded internally at its lower end at 48 for attachment to the desired length of pipe, not shown.

vThe upper end of the sleeve is extended inwardly to fit against the mandrel at 49, and said sleeve is held against removal from said mandrel -by` means of a nut or ring 50, threaded within the sleeve to the lower end of said mandrel. On the cylindrical surface` 36 and between the sleeves 39 `and 47 we provide a slidable sleeve 51 of such length as to fit between said sleeves when the slips or jaws are in inoperative position, as shown in Figs. 8 andl 9. To

holdI the sleeve 37 and the jaws 41 in inoper` ative position while going into l the liole we vhave. employed a diametricalpin 52 extending through sleeve and the cylindrical'por tion of the mandrel 36. This pin is of brass or some metal of soft or brittle construction off under the force ofv a blow. y

The two sleeves 37 and 47 are acted upon by means of a spiral spring 59kifitted between the same and held under compression when the collar 37 is secured in the. position shown inv the drawing. When the collar 47 is forced upwardly by cont-act with the bottom of the well the upper end thereof will drive the sleeve 51 against the sleeve 37 So as to shear off the pin 52 andallow the spring 59 to act. This will serve to force said sleeve upwardly and the jaws attached thereto will be driven upwardly on the tapered inaudrel 34 s0 that said jaws will be expanded firmly against thel walls of the casing 75, thereby holding the anchoring means rigidly within the said casing.

To expand the cutters within the cutter-A head there is provided within the passage inside the drill stem and other pipe, an expandin mandrel formed with an upper rod 60. Thisrod has an enlarged head 61 at the upper end and at the lower end is threaded at 62 within a head 63 upon the expanding mandrel 64. lThis mandrel is reduced in diameter below the head 63, and then gradually enlarged to a central point, 65. Below this portion 65 the mandrel is tapered'at 67 downwardly-to a point. v

Formed in the upper portion of the nipple l is a disk or diaphragm 70. As shownpartcularly in Fig. 2 the disk is threaded on its l 1,539,11sss` outer face to be secured within the upper head of the nip le, randis formed with a -central opening l therein toallowthe pas- In the use of our improved cutter, it is usual to calculate at vabout what elevation t-he casi ing or pipe is to be severed. We contemplate that` ordinarily the pipe will be severed at a point spaced upwardly from the bottom of the well a short distance and for that reason i have shown a comparatively short sleeveJ 47 at the lower end of the device. It is obvious j however, that this sleeve may be lengthened to any desired length by attaching at 48 the required amount of pipe or drill stem. lVith the sleeve or collar 47 of the length shownin` the drawing the device will be lowered with the anchoring means in locked or inoperative position, asshown in Figs. 8 and 9 particularly. When the collar 47 strikes the bottom of the well it will slide upwardly along the cylindrical portion 36 of the mandrel and through the sleeves 51 and 37, shear the -pin 52 as previously described. Th-e spring 59 will then act to lock the jaws or slips 41 against the casing. In this position the further lowering of the drill stem and string of pipe above the anchoring device will allow the cutter head 12 to rest upon the upper end of the head 33 of the anchoring means. In order to allow' the head 12 of the cutter to rotate upon the anchoring device, I preferably fit an antifriction ball race 73 between the bearing surfaces, which is protected from -water and mud by a stuffing box 69. The head then rests upon this surface and sustains the weight vonly of the coupllng 1() and pipe 3. This weight will not be sufficient to interfere with the free action of the cutters 24 upon the side of the casing. The weight of the nipple 1 and the string ofpipe above the same will be sup orted from the surface of the ground and wlll not be allowed torest upon the cutting device. The cutting headmay be rotated however, from the surface because of the radial pins 5, fitting within the slots 4 of the pipe 3. When thedevice is being lowered into cutting position the up er head 61 -of the ,expanding,mandrel, wiil be supported upon the disk 70. When the cutter head is set in position, however, the further lowering of the pipe will cause the whole weight ofthe expanding mandrel to rest upon the-beveled upper surface of the cutter blocks 20. The device will then be ready for rotation, and as the cutter headv 12 is rotated, the weight of the expanding ,mandrel will force the cutters radially outward against\the casing and hold them firmly in cutting position. The rotation of the pipe will cause the cutters to work their way through the outer casing 75.

While the cutter is being rotated, water will be pumped downwardly through the string of pipe, the'cutting device and the anchoring device, and this water will find its way upwardly around the outside of the de# vice to the surface. mandrel has forced its way downwardly as the cutters expand until the pipe is severed, the mandrel will be yin such position that the head 63 thereof will Contact with the upper shoulder 76 of the cutter head and will entirely close the passage 19 therethrough.l The cup 8 at' the lower end of the nipple 1.--will'prevent the escape of.water upwardly. The said water will then find no outlet and the pumps` will automatically be stopped, thus furnishingan indication to' the operator that the pipe' has been severed and the job completed. g

When the operator has received-indication When the expanding from the pumps that the pipe has been scv'- ered, the string of pipe will be' raised, thus carrying the nipple 1 upwardly in the pipe 3 until the pin 5 contacts with the upper end of the slot 4. -Before this point is reached the disk 70 will strike against the upperhead 61 of the mandrel and will raise it out of operative position with reference to the cutters. It will be noted that as the cutters are expanded the upper end of the lever 28 will rest on the upwardly tapering surface of the mandrel 65. When the mandrel is withdrawn this surface will by contact with the lever force the upper end outwardly and the lower end, togetherwith the cutter block, inwardly, thus retracting the cutters positively. i

The continued upward movement of the pipe will raise the cutter head from its seat upon the anchoring device land will raise the mandrel upwardly in the said anchoring jaws. It will be noted from the drawing that the teeth formed upon the surface 42 of the locking jaws or slips 4l are inclined downwardly. It will therefore be lpossible when the device is pulled upwardly to force the locking jaws downwardly on the man? drel until Ia second point isoreached above the first cut, and a downward movement thereafter will automatically cause the jaws to grip the pipe and lock the anchoring means againl in position. This may obviously be done at any height in the Awell and by beginning at the bottom of the well' and proceeding upwardly the pipe or' casing .may be severed at desired intervals until the wholecasing has been cut up into .such lengths that they may be later-withdrawn from thev well piece .by piece.

rotatable relative thereto, said string, an-v ends of the slots 4 and then rotated to tity within the part 4. If the device is stopped by an obstruction, pressure lmay be exerted thereon without lowering the mandrel to eX-. pand the cutters. IVhen the desired point in the hole is reached the pins 5 may be rotated to move downwardy in, the slots 4 as deL scribed.l L

The advantages of this type of device will be apparent to one skilledl in the art. The locking means will work automatically and positively to secure the device when the cuttingfoperation is going on. The rotation of the cutter with the expanding mandrel resting thereon will cause the cutters to be driven gradually through the casing to sever it, and when the job is completed the indicator formed bythe pumps will show the operator when the same has beeny accomplished. No furtherdescription of the operation of this device is necessary.

I-Iavingthus described our invention,

(what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters'Patent is:

l.v In va pipe cutter for use in deep wells, a string of pipe, an anchoring means thereon, a pin to hold said anchoring means in "inoperative position, means to release said pinywhen the string contacts with the bot' tom of the well, a cutter head secured to the upper end of `said anchoring means" and choring means, and cutter head having a passage therethrough for liquid, cutters mounted on blocks slidable radially in said head, means to force said cutters outwardly .operable by means of said string of pipe,

said cutter head being rotatable' through said string of pipe, and mea-ns to close the passage ot fluid through said head when said cutters have been advanced suiiiciently to sever the pimJ operated upon.

2. In a pipe cutte` for use -in` deep wells, an operating pipe, an anchoring means thereon, means operable at a predetermined position in the well to fix said anchor,'a cutter headhaving a rotatable bearing on said anchoring means, radially movable cutters in said head, means loosely mounted in said operating pipe to advance said cutters when said operating p1pe is lowered relative to -meansslidable relative vto said pipe and said head, said operating .to rotate said head.

3. In a pipe cutter for use in deep wells, an operating pipe, a utterhead rotatable therewith,l an anchoring means secured rotatably to said head, means to tix said pipe also serving anchor in thecasing at the desired point, a

telescopic connection in said operating pipe,

said

head to advance said cutters, and means cooperating therewith to withdraw said cutters when said pipe is elevated. v

4. In a pipe cutter for use in deep wells, a supporting means, an ahchoring f means 'thereon comprising a downwardly tapering mandrel, a cylindrical extension thereon, a collar slidable on said extension, toothed slips on. said mandrel detachably connected with said sleeve, means to lock said sleeve and slips, in inoperative position, means to releasesaid locking means, means to Vforce saidsleeveand slips upwardly on said mandrel, a cutter above said mandrel, and means to rotate said cutter n said anchoring means.

5. In a pipe cutter for use in deep wells, ay supporting means, an anchoring means thereon, comprising a tapered mandrel, toothed slips fitting on said mandrel and slidable thereon, means to hold said slips in t inoperative position on said mandrel, means to release said last-named means, means to thereafter forceA said slips into operative position, a cutter above. said anchoring means, and means to rotatesaid cutter.

6. In a pipe4 cutter for severing casing and the like in deep wells, ladapted to be operatively supported through a string "of plpe, the combination of means on said string adapted to anchor said string to said w casing, a cutter head supported by and rc- Vtatable` on said .anchoring means through connection with the string of pipe above, said connection allowingl vertical play of said`stringI relative to said head, cutters on said head slidable radially therein, ,means holding said cuttersin retracted position,

a downwardly tapered expanding mandrel i controlled through said `-string of pipe to advance said cutters in the manner de# scribed. i

7. In a pipe cutter for severing `casing said string relative to said head, cutters on said head ,slidable radially therein, levers adapted to move said cutters into retracted position, a tapered expanding mandrel controlled through said string of pipe to advance. said cutters in the manner described, said head and anchoring means having a water passage therethrough, and means on said mandrel to closesaid passage when said cutters have advanced suiciently to sever said casing.

the like in deep wells, comprising a string of pipe adapted tol be lowered intosaid cas- 8. A pipe cutter for severing casing and ing, means on said'string adapted to anchor said string to said casing, a cutter he-ad above and rotatable on said anchoring means, an elongated sleeve secured to said cutter head, a telescopic but non-rotatable connection between said sleeve and the string of pipe above whereby the weight 011 said cutter head may be limited, cutters on said head, means to hold said cutters in retracted position away from said casing, and means to advance said cutters against said casing when desired to cut the said'casing.

9. A pipe cutter for severing casi-ng and the like in deep wells, comprising a string of pipe adapted to be lowered into said casing, means on said string adapted to anchor said string to said casing, a cutter head above and rotatable on said anchoring means, an elongated sleeve secured to said cutter head, a telescopic but non-rotatable connection between said sleeve and the string of pipeabove whereby the weight o-n said cutter head may be limited, cutters on said head, means to hold said cutters in rtracted position away from said easing, and means to advance said cutters against said casing when desired to cut the said casing. 10. A pipe cutter for severing casing and the like in deep wells, comprising a string oi pipe adapted to be lowered into said casing, means on said string adapted to anchor said string to said casing, a cutter head above and rotatable on said anchoring means, an elongated sleeve secured to said cutter head, a telescopic but non-rotatable connection between said sleeve and the string of pipe above whereby the weight on said cutter head may be limited, cutters on said head, means to hold said cutters in retracted position away from said casing, means to advance said cutters against said easing when desired to cut the said casing,

and Ineans to prevent passage of fluid through said string `when been severed. l

1x1. A pipe cutter for severing casing in deep wells, comprising a string of pipe adapted to be lowered into said casing, means operable when a suitable point is reached to anchor said string, a cutter head above said anchoring means having a rosaid casing has tatable bearing thereon, cutters on said. head, positive means to hold said cutters in a normally retracted position, gravity operated means to advance said cutters when desired, and means separate from said admeans, an elongated sleeve secured to saidcutter head, said sleeve having a slot therein, a nipple on the lower end of the string of pipe above said sleeve, said nipple telescoping within said sleeve and having a radial pin fitting in said slot, cutters on said head, and means to advance said cutters radially, said head being rotatable through said string of pipe.

13. A pipe cutter for severing casing and the like in deep wells, comprising an anchoring means adapted tov be' fixed in said casing, a cutter head supported thereon and. rotatable relative thereto, a nplurality oi' rolling cutters slidable radiallyrelative to said head, gravity-operated means to ad- Vance said cutters, means to withdraw said cutters actuated by the withdrawal of said advancing means, said head being groove-d adjacent said cutters, 'an additional scraping cutter in said groove, and means to rotate said head. i

14. In a device of the character described, a cutter head, cutter blocks slidable radially therein, there being vertiealslots in said head above said cutters, levers pivoted in said slots, one end of each said lever engaging in a recess in the adjacent cutter blocks, a mandrel slidable vertically in said head, and an expanding head thereon to move said blocks outwardly, said expanding head hav.n ing an upper tapered surface to engage the upper ends of said levers to withdraw said cutter blocks when said mandrel is elevated.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afix onr signatures this the 27th day of October,

J. s. ABERonoMma. H. s. caMERoN. 

